Rand Paul Clarifies Drone Position After Outcry

"My comments last night left the mistaken impression that my position on drones had changed," he said in a statement Tuesday. "Let me be clear: it has not. Armed drones should not be used in normal crime situations. They only may only be considered in extraordinary, lethal situations where there is an ongoing, imminent threat. I described that scenario previously during my Senate filibuster."

Speaking on Fox Business late Monday, Paul seemed to contradict his opposition to drone strikes on American citizens. "Here's the distinction: I have never argued against any technology being used when you have an imminent threat, an act of crime going on," he said. "If someone comes out of a liquor store with a weapon and $50 in cash, I don't care if a drone kills him or a policeman kills him. But it's different if they want to come fly over your hot tub or your yard just because they want to do surveillance on everyone, and they want to watch your activities."

Paul's comments also drew fire from supporters of his father, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), as many of these supporters back the younger Paul as well. The conservative-leaning Drudge Report splashed "Rand Paul Learns To Love the Drone!"

Paul launched a 13-hour filibuster in March after Attorney General Eric Holder refused to rule out a lethal strike on an American citizen. "No American should be killed by a drone on American soil without first being charged with a crime, without first being found to be guilty by a court," Paul said on the Senate floor. Holder clarified the next day that the president did not have the authority to launch a "a weaponized drone to kill an American not engaged in combat" in the U.S.

This video frame grab provided by Senate Television shows Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. speaking on the floor of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday night, March 6, 2013, shortly before 10 p.m. EST. Paul was still going strong with his self-described filibuster blocking confirmation of President Barack Obamas nominee John Brennan to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. (AP Photo/Senate Television)